The examination of clinical and environmental samples collected by Greek Health Organization (EODY) teams from Kea Island, which has been affected by gastroenteritis cases recently, has just been completed.
Related: Gastroenteritis in Kea: Hundreds of cases in the last ten days – What EODY is investigating
According to well-informed sources from parapolitika.gr, all test results are “clean,” which means the most likely cause of the gastroenteritis cases is norovirus, indicating a viral gastroenteritis outbreak.
What is norovirus: The symptoms
According to EODY, viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection caused by various viruses. The most common of these are noroviruses, rotaviruses, and adenoviruses (types 40 and 41).
The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are diarrhea (usually watery) and vomiting. Patients may also experience nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, chills, and less commonly fever. Fever is typically low-grade. In most people, symptoms are mild and resolve without requiring a doctor’s visit.
Prevention measures
According to epidemiologist Gkikas Magiorkinis’ recent statements to ERT, prevention measures for norovirus include:
- Thorough handwashing.
- People with gastroenteritis should isolate themselves, as transmission can occur even with a small viral load.
- Be careful after using the toilet – wash hands before and after.
